MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's tennis team was defeated 9-0 by 18-time defending Midwest Conference champion Grinnell in Sunday's MWC opener inside the arena of the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.

The Rams (3-7 overall, 0-1 MWC) fell 3-0 in doubles play to the Pioneers. Juniors Alexander Hadler-Strumlauf and Federico Polidori battled at No.1 in an 8-2 loss. At No. 2, freshman Zachary Ong and junior Chris Penas-Hull also fell 8-2.

The Rams dropped each of their singles matches in straight sets. Cornell's No. 1 player Hadler-Strumlauf lost 6-3, 6-0 to Leo Esztergomi. Polidori fought tough, 6-4, in the opening set before losing the second 6-0.  

Coming up – The Rams play four duals over Spring Break in Hilton Head, S.C. They open play Friday at 3:30 p.m. against Johnson and Wales.